Seen lots of films lately, but not had time to post any review – so here’s some quick and dirty summaries vaguely in the popular chick lit style….
Phone Booth
Arsehole PR man (Farrell) answers ringing phone in call box. Big mistake. Man on end of phone (Keifer Sutherland) big psycho threatens to shoot PR man if he hangs up. To prove it he shoots a passer by, and all hell breaks loose. Er, that’s pretty much it. Enjoyable 85 minutes, tension well kept and Farrell again, despite being tosser, shows he can act and hold the screen. Feels like a TV movie due to length and Sutherlands sinister voice over as the bad guy on the phone comes across as cheap – would be more menacing if he actually sounded like he was on the phone. Worth watching though – a simple idea well executed.
Master and Commander
Saw this on the plane. No desire to see it at the cinema. Can’t stand Crowe though the guy – like Farrell – can act too. Film looks good – hard to see the CGI here, and the first hour is good, fades away thereafter. Battle scenes excellent, cast good and Crowe aside not famous – but lots of ‘ooooh that’s what’s his name from ooooh you know that programme’ type moments. Gets a little boring after the first hour though and has one of those ambiguous endings that I hate. Did the damned Frenchies set a trap after all? Will we have to wait till the sequel to see Lucky Jack crush the cheese eating surrender monkeys?
Demolition Man
Futuristic action thriller which looks great and has its tongue very firmly in cheek. Lots of nice ideas and gadgets, Wesley Snipes makes a great baddie and Sylvester Stallone makes a good Sylvester Stallone. Sandra Bullock too makes a very good Sandra Bullock, but the Sly-Bullock tongues sandwich at the end makes one feel quite ill.
The Odessa File
The kind of film they don’t make any more. A thriller that’s heavy on plot and character development, and low in histrionics. Lots of silences whilst our hero searches furtively through desk drawers to find incriminating evidence. It takes him so long it gets pretty damned tense. These days he’s find it straight away whilst accompanied by a throbbing techno soundtrack. Not as good as the book, but good enough.
Lost in Translation
Most untypical Hollywood film I’ve seen in ages. Looks like an indie film, directed by an auteur, with two great leads. The emptiness of their lives and the sadness which hangs over hotel living comes across beautifully, and not a happy ending in sight. Fab! Please let it beat Lord of the Rings at the Oscars… Please…
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